To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Page 12
for the public transportation workforce. Our review of these reports indicates that as of
2005- 2006 there were no plans underway as reported or funded by the Federal
Transportation Administration to offer an undergraduate degree in public transportation
management at a public university.
Research Approach
The central research questions addressed in this feasibility study are somewhat complex in
that there is no single organization that addresses education, learning, curriculum
development for the public transportation industry. These questions are interrelated and
contingent upon environmental, external resources, market, and perspectives of
professionals that work in transportation. This complexity caused the research team to use
a variety of research methods.
A multi- method research strategy was used because the outcomes of this research would
have implications for a number of different “ systems”— specifically the public transportation
industry, meeting the degree requirements of the North Carolina University system, human
resource issues related to promotion and performance in the public transportation industry.
Therefore, methodological triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one method
for gathering data, was used in order to enhance confidence in the ensuing findings ( Webb
et al. ( 1966) 11.
· Individual interviews with key resource individuals at NCDOT and the North Carolina
Public Transportation Association to gather background information.
· Focus group discussions with supervisory and non- supervisory employees of NC
transportation providers and technical experts in the transportation industry
· Telephone interviews with faculty and staff of NC public colleges and universities and
selected university transportation centers ( UTC’s) in other states
· An analysis of primary and secondary service and performance data relating ( e. g.,
employment trends, consumer patterns, and environmental issues) to the public
transportation industry
· Two independent analysts were used to interpret the focus group data to enhance
confidence in the findings. This method of investigative triangulation ensures that
analysis of the focus group data for the six groups ( managers, supervisors, non-supervisors,
transportation experts, customers, and funders) received objective
assessments and helped minimize analyst or rater bias.
11 Webb, E. J., Campbell, D. T., Schwartz, R. D., and Sechrest, L. ( 1966). Unobtrusive
Measures: Nonreactive Measures in the Social Sciences. Chicago: Rand
McNally.

Page 12
for the public transportation workforce. Our review of these reports indicates that as of
2005- 2006 there were no plans underway as reported or funded by the Federal
Transportation Administration to offer an undergraduate degree in public transportation
management at a public university.
Research Approach
The central research questions addressed in this feasibility study are somewhat complex in
that there is no single organization that addresses education, learning, curriculum
development for the public transportation industry. These questions are interrelated and
contingent upon environmental, external resources, market, and perspectives of
professionals that work in transportation. This complexity caused the research team to use
a variety of research methods.
A multi- method research strategy was used because the outcomes of this research would
have implications for a number of different “ systems”— specifically the public transportation
industry, meeting the degree requirements of the North Carolina University system, human
resource issues related to promotion and performance in the public transportation industry.
Therefore, methodological triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one method
for gathering data, was used in order to enhance confidence in the ensuing findings ( Webb
et al. ( 1966) 11.
· Individual interviews with key resource individuals at NCDOT and the North Carolina
Public Transportation Association to gather background information.
· Focus group discussions with supervisory and non- supervisory employees of NC
transportation providers and technical experts in the transportation industry
· Telephone interviews with faculty and staff of NC public colleges and universities and
selected university transportation centers ( UTC’s) in other states
· An analysis of primary and secondary service and performance data relating ( e. g.,
employment trends, consumer patterns, and environmental issues) to the public
transportation industry
· Two independent analysts were used to interpret the focus group data to enhance
confidence in the findings. This method of investigative triangulation ensures that
analysis of the focus group data for the six groups ( managers, supervisors, non-supervisors,
transportation experts, customers, and funders) received objective
assessments and helped minimize analyst or rater bias.
11 Webb, E. J., Campbell, D. T., Schwartz, R. D., and Sechrest, L. ( 1966). Unobtrusive
Measures: Nonreactive Measures in the Social Sciences. Chicago: Rand
McNally.